Valve mechanism.



l. S. SCHNEIDER Q I. LANDAUER.

VALVE ME'cHANlsM.

APPUCATION FILED AUG.3!. |9II Patented D. 10, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

|. s, scum-:anim j. LANDAUER.

VALVE MECHANISM. APPucATmn min Anaal. I9i1.

Patented DBC. 10, 1918.

z gains-suis? 2.

'time following the opening lof gaj-rd'less fof the. amount of water which has;

IsAnonE s. SCHNELDERAND :rosier LANDAUER, 'or CHICAGO, I LLiivoIs.

verve meenam-Ism.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Deo. 10, 1918,.

Application filled 'August 31,19151. Serial. No. 189,049.

To all -w imm t may concern.'

Be it known that we, IsADoiiE S.. SoHNiiinER,

a citizen of the United States, and -JQSEF LAxnA'UrR, a subject-'of vthe Emperor .o'f Asus.-

tria, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a' new and useful Improvementiii Valve Mechanism, of `which the following is a specication.

Our invention relates more particularly t0 valve mechanism `.used in faucets or for lgushing, purposes; and our primal objects are.

to provide, as a feature .to both a fauetfajud flushing valve, 'fior lthe automatic operation of the valve to permit of the ilow the-ref' of 'a predetermined lamount *of through water, and in addition, so far as itsjuse a faucet :is concerned, to provide a valve whereby"V 'the operatorinay operate it tov-.hold it open indefinitely, or close the. valve at [any v.the same, re-

passcdthrough the valve, and to provide for theautoniatic-clos-ing ofthe valve following the manual opening thereof.

Referring to. the 'accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation of a faucet embodying our invention. Fig. 2 isa section taken at the irregular line 2 -2 -on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the. arrows, and Fi-g. 3 isa section taken vvat the line 3 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of fthe arrow.

According 'to the preferred illustrated embodiment of our invention, a casing 4 containing an inlet 5 and an outlet 6 is provided. The body yof the casing is formed of a hollow member 7 containing a cylinder 8 extending lengthwise thereof which connects with a partition 9, whereby the space indicated at 10, iii front of the above the partition 9, and reaching back over tliecylinder 8 is closed to thespae be-v neath it, as indicated at 11, this last referred to space forming ach-aniiel through which the waterentering .the casing through-the in-y let 5 discharges through the outletV 6. The portion '7 of the casing is screw-threaded at its right-hand end in Fig. 1, as represented at 12, at` which it engages the threadedporftion 13 of a socket-inember 14.: containing the the removable covei.'=section 16 of the easing.

vcylinder 8 and which extends at a Trecess 17 provided yin its forward end into interlocking relation 4with a rearwardly-extending flange -1'8 on the-section 7;, `and carries va pin 19-at its reareiid adapted to enter a slot 20 in the cylindersection 8. Y

The casing 7 adjacent the inlet 5 is pro.- vided with a` valve-seat 21, shown of frustoconical shape, with which la tapered valve 22 cooperates, this valve being adapted to close against 'saidseat; in 'thek directionl ofthe ilow `of water into -thecasing .through the inlet `5. The valve is .equipped with a valvefstem formed of the section-23 and the off-set secti'on 2,4'. connected therewith, as shown, and having sliding bea-ring in a lug 25A on the cylinder 8 and a portion of' the member 8- at which Ithe latter is 'directlyy connected with the partition 9, the forward end of the-stem 24 extending into, the space 10.v The valve 22 is preferably sl-idabl-yv mounted upon Vthe stem-:section 2 3 'and is yieldingly- 'held against a` col-lar '27 thereon through the medium of a spiral spring 28 surrounding the stem 23,V and confined between the valve 22 and nut 29. on this stein. The stem-section 23 contains an open-ing 30 extending longitudinali-ly therethrough, the. left-.hand end of this stein fbeing Yof frusto-eonical shape, as represented at 31, and cooperating with` la :similarly shaped valve-seat -32y provided inl aplug33 which yscrews into an end ofthe cylinderS,l -this plugl containing afpassage 34 opening at onev end 'through the seat 32 and lat its opposite end expanded as rep. resented at 35. The c vlinder 8 contains a piston 136 on a rod- 37 which has sliding bearing at 38 in the end wall of the cvlinder 8, this rod carrying a collar 39 which forms a stop for the movement 'of the piston. to the leftY in Fig. 1 under the action of the water flowing into the Cylinder 8,' as hereinafter described, and being surrounded by a coiled spring' 40 which bea rs at one end against the adjacent end wallof the cvlinder 8, and at its Aopposite end against the piston 36, for a purpose hereinafter described. The forward endof the rod 37 extends into'th'espace 10,

its lowerend with a yoke-portion`43 which straddles Vthe casing 4f, as shownfin Fig. 2, f

and ispivotally supported .throu'lghthe inef Y110 diam of trunnions te with whic the armsl of the yoke 43 are connected, and which are journaled in bearing-portions 45 of the casing 4. The inner end of the trunnions are rigidly connected witha yoke-member 46, the upper surface of which is of arc-shape, as represented at 47, and the lower ends of which extend downwardly below the trunnions 44 and contain notches 48 at which the frame 47 engages lugs 49 extending laterally from a head 50 secured to the forward end of the rod-section 24. A spring, shown of the leaf type, is represented at 51, this spring extending along the upper side of the cylinder 8 and secured thereto as by the screw 52, its forward end being bent to conform to the arc surface 47 of the yoke 46 against which it normally bears to act as a brake for a purpose hereinafter described. The forward lower free end of the spring 51 is formed with a flanged section 54 which engages a similarly shaped portion 55 of a bell-crank lever 56 fulcrumed on a pivot 57 supported in a bearing 58 in the space 10, the rearwardly and upwardly extending portion of this bell-crank lever being bifurcated as represented at 59, with its upper surface extending generally at an inclination to the plane of movement ofthe rod 37 and extending into the path of movement of the pin 41, in the travel ofthe rod 37 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the right in this ligure under the action of the spring 40, as hereinafter described.

The operation ofthe device is as follows:

The inlet 5 being connected with the water under pressure, the valve 22 is in closed posit-ion against the seat 21, the in coming water maintaining it closed, and the cylinder 8 is filled with water under the same pressure as that at the inlet, by reason of the communication between the interior of the cylinder 8 and the inlet 5 through the conduits 30 and 34, the piston 36 in thisl position being shifted to the left as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the spring 40 is compressed and the pin 41 extended forwardly out of engagement with the bell-crank 56. To op erate the valve the operator grasps the handle 42 and swings it to the left in Fig. 1, with the result of shifting the valve-rod sections 24 and 23 and the valve 22 to the right in Fig. 1, which opens the outlet 6 of the easing to the inlet 5 and water iiows through the faucet, the water continuing to flow so long as the operator holds the handle 42 in the position stated. As soon as the valve 22 is opened, which unseat-s the valve-section 23, the spring 40 acting against the piston 36 causes the latter to move to the right in Fig. 1, forcing the water from the cylinder 8 out through the conduit 34 and into the discharge conduit to the casing 4, the. speed at which this piston moves depending upon the size of the outlet from this cylinder, this being preferably cont-rolled by means of a valve, such as that represented at 59, and carried by a spring-arm 60 secured to a plate 61 fastened to the interior of the plug 33 and coperating with a pin 62 threaded in the cylinder 8 and adapted to bear at its lower end against the cam-portion 63. The spring 60 normally holds the valve 59 closed, but by adjusting the pin 62 the degreeof opening may be regulated. The piston 36 continues to move to the right in Fig. 1 as stated, until the force exerted by the spring 40 is equalized by such force as may be exerted againstI the piston 36 by the water in iowing through the faucet, the pin 41 in this operation rotating the bell-crank lever 56 in clockwise direction in Fig. 1, and lifting the spring 51 out of braking engagement with the yoke 46. Assuming that the operator does not release his grasp on the handle 42 untiL after the piston 36 has moved to the right in Fig. 1, to the limit of its movement, the force of the incoming water exerted against the valve 22, assuming that the operator releases his grasp on the handle 42, will elose the valve 22, close communication between thel conduit 34 and the outlet of the passage, but maintain cou".-l munication with the inlet 5 through thc aussage 30, and, through the medium of the valve-stem section 24 will return the handle 42 to the position shown in Fig. 1. The water entering the conduits 30 and will thereupon flow into the c flinder 8, forcing the piston 36 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and compressing the spring 40. Should, however, the operator release hisgrasp on the handle 42 before the piston 36 has reached the limit of its movement to the right 4in Fig. 1, the handle 42 will remain in the position to which it was operated to open the valve, until the piston 36 reaches such a position in the cylinder 8 that the springl 51 will be released from the yoke 46 through the medium of the lever 56 and cooperating pin 41, whereupon the valve 22 will immediately close, the spring 51 being so tensioned that it will hold the handle 42 against returning to the position shown in Fig. 1 in opposition to the force of thc incoming water against 'the valve 22. Should the operator wish to close the valve before the piston v36 has reached a position where it will automatically release the brake-spring 51 from engagement with the yoke 46, the operator may force the handle 42 back tu the position shown in Fig. 1, which mann4 ally closes the valve 22.

. If it is desired that a certain amount only of water low from the casing with an actuation of the handle 42, the operator may draw the handle 42 forwardly (to the left in Fig. 1) to open the valve 22 and immediately thereupon release his grasp on the handle, the handle and valve 22 remaining in the positions to which they were moved,

Cil

until the piston 36 operates to raise the spring 5l out of engagement with the yoke 46, it being understood that the amount of water which may be thus caused tol iow, by the automatic shutting ofi' action, may be regulated as desired by adjustinof the pin 6:2.

Vliile provision is made in t e valve for the automatic operation of the same to close aftera predetermined amount of water has discharged from the passage, the valve may nevertheless be operated, under thecontrol of the operator, to lcause water to flow indefinitely through the faucet so long, as the operator holdsl the operating handle in opperative position, where the amount of water passing through the faucet exceeds that at which the valve will automatically close. lVhere it is desired that the valve be closed before an amount of water equal to that which will be automatically measured by the automatic closing means, has passed therethrough, the operator shuts off the valve by manually returning'it to normal, closed po sition. It willV therefore be noted that a valve constructed in accordance with our invention presents such `features as to render it of practical use, and insures the conserving of the water supply by reason of the automatic shut-off feature in case the operaf tor leaves the valve in open condition, and permits of the operation of the valve for discharge from the faucet of any desired. amount of Water.

While We have illustrated and described a particular construction in which our inveiition is embodied, We do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto asthe same may be variously modilied an A altered without departing from the spiritof our invention, it being cur intention to claim our invention as fully and completely as the prior state of the art will permit.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet for controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means for said valve for holding the latter open in oppositionto tlievforcc tending to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, fluidpressure-controlled means for l rendering said restraining` means inoperative, and means for supplying Huid pressure to said Huid -pressurecontrolled inea-ns from said inlet in the closed position of said valve.

2. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve'in inlet and outletfor said casing between said controlling communication therebetween,

manually-operated means for opening and said manually-operated. means, Yd

closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close whennot restrained, restraining` means for said valve for holding the latter open in opposition tothe force tend-ing to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, said manually-operated means, piston and cylinder 'mechanism controllable by Huid pressure entering said casing for ren-l dering said restraining means inoperative, and means for supplying fluid pressure to said piston and cylinder mechanismV from said inlet in the closed position of said valve.

3. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet andV outlet for controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means for said valve for holding the latter open in opposition to the force tending to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, said manually-operated means, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, said cylinder being in communication with said inlet inthe rear of said valve, whereby said cylinder is in communication with said inlet when said valve is closed, a spring tending to move said piston in a direction opposite to thatv of the iiow of liuid pressure into said cylinder, and means actuated by said piston for rendering said restraining means inoperative.

4. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing .between said inlet and outlet for controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means for said valve for holding the latter open in opposition to the force tending to seat it, after Yactuation by, andv release of, said manually-operated means, a cylinder containing a port communicating with the interior of said casing, a valve carried by said rst-named valve and adaptedv when in one position to close communication between said cylinder and casing, said lastnamed valve containing an opening` coinmunicating with said cylinder port and with said inlet, a piston in said cylinder, means ten-ding toV inove said piston in opposition to the iow of Huid pressure into said cyliner, and means operated by said piston for rendering said restraining means inoperative.

5.V Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between Vsaid inlet and outlet for I controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means. for said valve for holding the latter open in opposition to the force tending to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, said manually-operated means, a shiftable member operating when actuated to render said restraining means inoperative, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, said cylinder being in communication with said inlet in the rear of said valve, whereby said cylinder is in communication with said inlet when said valve is closed. means tending to move said piston in opposition to luid pressure entering said cylinder, and means operated by said piston for actuating said shittable member.

6. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet controlling communication therebetween and adapted to close by the Jforce oi: tluid pres'- sure entering said inlet, a member carried by said valve` a manuall'v-operated device operatively engaging said member :tor shitting the latter and opening said valve.I a rcst-raining device engaging said manuallyoperated device for holding said valve open in opposition to the force of iluid pressure tending to seat it after actuation oli' said manually-operated device, a cylinder in said casing containing a port opening into said casing, said member being provided with a portion forming a valve closing said cylinder port to said casing when the valve is in one position, said portion having an opening connecting said cylinder port with said inlet, a piston in said cylinder, a spring tending to force said piston in opposition to fluid pressure entering said cylinder, and means actuated by said piston -for rendering said restrainingdevice inoperative.

7. Valve mechanism comprising` a casing having an inlet and an outlet. a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet controlling communication therebetween and adapted to close by the Jforce of liuidpressure entering said inlet, a shiftable member carried by said valve, a manually-operated device operatively engaging said shiftable member for opening said valve against the lluid pressure entering said inlet, a. spring brake-device cooperating with said manually-operated device for holding said valve open in opposition to the fluid pressure entering said inlet after actuation of said manually operated device. a rock lever adapted when actuated to release said brakedevice from said manually-operated device, a cylinder in said casing containing a port communicating` with said casing, said shittable member having a portion operating when said valve is in one position to close communication between said cylinder and casing, said portion containing an opening registering with said cylinder-port and with said inlet,v a piston in said cylinder, a spring tendingto move said piston in opposition to the fluid pressure in said cylinder, and means operated by said piston for actuating said rock-lever.

8. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet for controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means for said valve Jtor holding the latter open in opposition to the force Vtending to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, said manually-operated means, a cylinder containing afport communicating with the interior of said casing, a second valve adapted when in one position to close communication between said cylinder and casing and operated to open position by actuating said manually-operated means, means 'for causing said cylinder to be in communication with said inlet when said first-named valve is closed for charging said cylinder with the pressure from the source of luidpressure controlled b y the valve mechanism, a pistonY in said cylinder, means tending to move said piston in opposition to the flow of fluid pressure into said cylinder, .and means operated by said piston for rendering said restraining means inoperative.

9. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet yfor controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means for said valve for holding the latter open in opposition to the force tending to seat it, after actuation by, of, said manually-operated means, a cylinder containing a port communicating with the interior of said casing, a second valve adapted when in one position to close com-' munication between said cylinder and casing and operated to open position by actuating said manually-operated means, means for causing said cylinder to be in communication with said inlet when said rst-named valve is closed for charging said cylinder with the pressure from the source of {luidpressure controlled by the valve mechanism, a piston in said cylinder, means tending to move said piston in opposition to the flow of fluid pressure into said cylinder, means operated by said piston for rendering said restraining means inoperative, and adjustable valve means controlling said port.

10. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet for controlling communication therebetween,manually-operated means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restrainand release ing means for said valve for holding the latter in stationary open position in opposition to the force tending to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, said manuallyoperated means, comprising a shiftable member engaging said manually-operated means for holding the latter in said stationary position, a lever adapted to shift said member out of restraining position, and means operating automatically after a predetermined time from the opening of said valve has elapsed for actuating said lever to render said restraining means inoperative.

11. Valve mechanism comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said casing between said inlet and outlet for controlling communication therebetween, manually-operated means for openingand closing said valve, said valve operating automatically to close when not restrained, restraining means for said valve for holding the latter in stationary open position in opposition to the force tending to seat it, after actuation by, and release of, said manuallyoperated means, comprising a spring device supported at one end and bearing frictionally against said manually-operated means for holding the latter in said stationary position, a lever engaging said spring and operating when actuated to relieve the pressure of said spring against said manuallyoperated means, and means for actuating said lever to render said spring device inoperative.

l2. Valve mechanism comprising a casing y' having aninlet and an outlet, a valve in said 11A'casing between said inlet and outlet for contomatically after a predetermined time from the opening of said valve has elapsed, for actuating said lever to render said restraining means inoperative, comprising a cylinder, a fluid-pressure-operated piston in said cylinder, a spring coperating with said piston, and means on said piston operating when the latter moves to a certain position under the action of said spring', to actuate said lever for moving said shiftable member out of restraining position.

ISADORE S. SCHNEIDER.

JOSEF LANDAUER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

